Factors Determining Functional Ability of Individuals with Stroke in Community
Mantana Vongsirinavarat PhD*, Vimonwan Hiengkaew PhD*
Affiliation : *Faculty of physical Therapy, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Objective : The present study was conducted to assess the factors explaining functional ability in community-dwelling individuals
with stroke.
Material and Method: In all, 758 persons with acute stroke who lived in the community and joined the home physical therapy
program were recruited. The personal characteristics and clinical measures were recorded at the first home visit. Measures
included Glasgow coma score, Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), Postural Assessment Scale for
Stroke Patients (PASS) including PASS-maintaining position and PASS-changing position and Barthel index.
Results : Five variables: the PASS-maintain, PASS-change, STREAM, Glasgow coma score, and age were selected by stepwise
multiple regression analysis to explain 85.6% of the variance of the Barthel Index score. The strongest predictor was the
PASS-maintain, which explained 81.5% of functional score.
Conclusion : The ability to maintain sitting and standing were the main contributors of activity daily living (ADL) ability.
Physical therapists should emphasize treatment to improve these abilities in persons with acute stroke to promote independent
ADL.
Keywords : Stroke, Functional ability, Predictors, Community, Physical Therapy
